President Karis at the southeastern border: securing the eastern border of Estonia and all of NATO is an essential part of our defence capabilities

The President of the Republic of Estonia, Alar Karis, and the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, visited Estonia’s southeastern border, where they took a look at the construction of the border and the Baltic defence line.

President Alar Karis thanked the Czech Republic for its support to the security of Estonia and the entire NATO eastern flank and stressed the importance of the unity of the Allies in defending European security. “This is not just the border of Estonia – it’s the eastern border of NATO,” said President Karis. “Protecting this border is our common task, and Estonia will do its utmost to ensure that this border holds and that our people and the entire territory of the Alliance are protected.”

President Karis stressed that Russia’s actions in recent years have demonstrated the need to strengthen deterrence and preparedness across the region. “Russia keeps increasing tensions here more and more frequently – be it airspace infringements, border incidents or attempts to challenge the temporary control line,” said the Estonian Head of State. “We will always defend ourselves and oppose such behaviour and do so clearly, calmly and firmly.”

President Karis recalled that after the incident on the Narva River in late 2025, Estonia decided to temporarily limit the opening hours of the border crossing points at Koidula and Luhamaa. He also referred to the airspace infringement of September 2025, after which Estonia convened NATO Article 4 consultations to strengthen deterrence.

The presidents visited the defence facilities of the Baltic defence line at Meremäe and Tabina, which include the installation of dragon’s teeth, as well as bunkers and anti-tank ditches designed to strengthen Estonia’s defences and resist a possible military offensive. The Estonian Head of State also highlighted the cooperation between local governments, the Defence Forces and private landowners in the area of the protection zone, which is a testament to the Estonian people’s will to defend themselves. 

Photos (Karli Saul/Office of the President of the Republic): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCUWze